Mudroom

: : : There seem to be a number of Americans contributing to this
forum (I'm English). I wonder if one of you helpful people can tell me if the
word "mudroom" is a normal American word, and what it means. It appears in the
novel I'm currently reading (Some Things That Stay by Sarah Willis) and as far
as I can make out it is a room off the kitchen where you might take your muddy
boots off - in which case the nearest word we have might be "utility room". But
it's not in any dictionary I've looked in so I wonder how much of a current word
it is.

: : : Armorel

: : Yes, it's a common word. I believe it's a modern
term. Mudroom means a room where people take off their muddy boots, hang up coats,
put school books, etc., on a shelf.

: I couldn't find "mudroom" in my references.
It's a middle class/upper middle class type of thing. Poor folks just have to
put up with mud being tracked in the house.

You couldn't find "mudroom" in
your references!?

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary gives:

Main Entry:
mud·room
Pronunciation: 'm&d-"rüm, -"rum
Function: noun
Date: circa
1950
: a room in a house designed especially for the shedding of dirty or wet
footwear and clothing and located typically off the kitchen or in the basement

The
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition) defines
"mudroom" as "A small room or entryway in a house where wet or muddy footwear
and clothing can be removed."

See also LivingHome at
http://www.livinghome.com/news/remodeling/195-15.html